Children of the Light

13th Sermon in the Series: Who is the Church? A Study of Ephesians
Dr. Timothy Keller - 08 January 2012

Ephesians 5:5-21
5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Chirst and God. 6Let no one decieve you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.

8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:

"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead
and Christ will shine on you."

15Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spirtual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

21Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ.

WALKING IN OBEDIENCE
--We must know that sins are deeds of darkness that disobeys God's laws.
--Impure motives are sinful too.
--We are all capable of evil.
--Small Sins deserve damnations yet even Big Sins can be redeemed.

WISDOM
--Not just about moral rules
--Know the right way to live when moral rules don't apply.
--Why do we do what we do? For ourselves or for God
--Why do we strive to make money?

SPIRIT
--Joy is the heart of Christian life.
--The Spirit makes us more aware of our resources in Christ
--It's an internal music
--John Edwards love letter to Pierpont